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Re: need word of advice
Posted by GreyLady on 3/25/09

I think the best advice I can give you is based on my own
experience with adopted parrots and on that of some of my
clients. The very best thing for you and your new bird, to
help him with the transition, is to know everything possible
about his background. His likes, his dislikes, his
vocabulary, his diet, his favorite treats and toys. If you
did not get a lot of information from his previous owner, and
if that's still possible, make a list and quiz them, in
depth. Even if some of the things were not quite right, so
long as it's nothing dangerous, keep things as much like he
was used to as possible, for awhile. With one of my
adoptees, I was in correspondence with his owner for at least
3 months before the hand off and for a long time after. I
knew everything there was to know about him. The transition
was smooth beyond my wildest expectations. The other end of
the spectrum was an adoptee about which I knew nothing at all
and had no one to quiz. We have been two years plus in
getting him/her to settle in well and we still aren't there
yet. For example, I know the bird is trying to say things to
me and there is so little I can understand, we are both
always frustrated over it. He is obviously expecting certain
responses from me and I'm helpless to respond in the manner
he expects. I had no idea about his favorite foods, how and
in what manner he liked to spend time with me, on and on. Re
homing is always traumatic for them, even under the best of
circumstances. The more you can keep things exactly as he
was used to for awhile, the quicker he will be able to adjust
to the things that you can't control. If you can arm
yourself with that kind of information, you will both be so
much better off. If you are unable to get the information,
it's just going to require the patience of Job to help him
make the transition and to learn to trust you. Best of luck
to you with it and if more specific questions come up, just
let us know. I, for one, will help you all I can. Having
been through many adoptions, I know what you are facing.

Posts on this thread, including this one

• need word of advice, 3/25/09, by bob.
• Re: need word of advice, 3/25/09, by GreyLady.